Take all the traditions of a classic casserole and make if tastier using beef mince.

Ingredients

• 600 - 700 grams beef mince
• 1 onion, peeled and finely diced
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 2 tblsp tomato paste
• 1 tblsp flour
• 330 ml bottle dark beer or stout
• 200 grams Swiss Brown mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tblsp each, chopped fresh parsley and thyme (or use 2 tsp each dried)
• 1/2 French bread stick, sliced into 1cm thick slices
• 50 grams butter
• 1 cup grated tasty cheese

Method

1. Brown the mince well in a medium-sized flame-proof casserole dish. Add the onion, garlic and tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomato paste darkens. Add the flour and cook for a further 1 minute.
2. Pour in the beer or stout and add the mushrooms, parsley, thyme. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the mince is tender.
3. Butter the slices of French bread thickly and place in an overlapping layer on top of the casserole. Sprinkle over the grated cheese.
4. Fan grill under a moderately hot heat until golden and hot. Serve garnished with parsley.

Cooks Tips

Try Monteith’s Black Beer or Speights for this recipe. For a tangy cheese topping, use half grated Cheddar and Parmesan cheese.